April 23, 1942
Just as I gathered my frying-pan, dishes, and other utensils from under my bed in preparation for lunch, three American men entered the room, armed
Just as I gathered my frying-pan, dishes, and other utensils from under my bed in preparation for lunch, three American men entered the room, armed
The Commandant finally consented to a nine o’clock curfew. How happy and grateful we were to be able to stay in the front ground and
The lovely strains of “Rock of Ages” floated into my room as I watched the Protestant services in the Father’s garden. To the right of
Our men were building large dining sheds made of wood, and soon they would be completed for the dreaded rainy season. There was an air
The Nishi-Nishi was most informative and educational. For the last few days it was filled with instructions on how to make the Rising Sun flag.
We were not permitted to forget the Emperor’s birthday! The pictorial section of the Nishi-Nishi showed victorious soldiers shouting as they dramatically planted the Rising
Many of the young belles of the camp wore hibiscus leis and flowers in their hair to celebrate May Day. My two Spanish and Dutch
No more bread was to be served in the line. This spelled hardship and hunger for those who had no money to buy the bread
Shocking and horrible stories were being repeated in the camp about the suffering of our captured forces. Forced marches without adequate food and water! Atrocities
Catesy was promoted from his garbage detail! He now helped at the front gate by handing out packages brought to internees from the outside. For
We listened to the happy and gay music of Gilbert and Sullivan recordings in the plaza. Usually, their music and rollicking lyrics cheered me, but
No other topic interested us. Had Corregidor fallen? On my way to get breakfast I stopped when I saw five men grouped around another man
Corregidor Fars. Despite the morning headline, people still refused to believe. But when on the next page of the Nishi-Nishi they saw a picture of
We were saddened to hear the news that a woman whom many of us knew had committed suicide on the outside. At the hospital we
The morning paper had this to say about Corregidor: LUXURIOUS BEYOND WORDS. In the editorial section entitled “Corned Beef and Corregidor,” the Japan Times commented
One of our bird-brain internees was found stretched out in his shanty in a drunken stupor. From hoarded leftover cracked wheat saved from breakfast, he
Mothers, wives, sweethearts, and friends eagerly scanned the five-page typewritten list of captured American and Filipino soldiers compiled by the Red Cross. The names were
Stupid and disquieting rumors continued to plague us. Today it was rumored that we would be shipped to Portugal, and by evening our destination had
For the last two months amateur gardeners have worked several hours a day, planting, weeding, and hoeing, and now these gardens were supplying the camp
According to the paper, today was the hottest day in 57 years. Because of the unbearable heat, I joined some of my roommates who sat
Smiling and victorious Japanese soldiers and generals leered at us from the pages of the pictorial section of the Nishi-Nishi. As I gained strength and
Mr. Nagy sent me a box of peanut brittle, and I was cheered and amused by his note. In describing Rags, he wrote that she
Tonight the head of our executive committee, an American, a British woman, and a twelve-year-old American boy were permitted to broadcast a short message to
It was a big day for the Nips! Navy Day! Many pages of the morning paper were splashed with pictures of the Imperial fleet’s successes.
The morning Nishi-Nishi contained an eye-witness account of the shelling of the Santa Barbara coastline in California. Of course, we didn’t believe it, but we
Memorial Day! I would have forgotten it if someone hadn’t reminded me. It was just another day in here, but still I had to serve
My roommate Margo was in a special kind of seventh heaven today. She dashed into the room with blonde hair flying and eyes shining. Then,
“It looks like Santo Tomas will be the last line of defense!” Catesy looked a bit grim as he facetiously made the remark to Mr.
The area in front of the Big House was completely covered by mountainous piles of packing cases and soldiers. Each day, we went about our
Just as we finished our dismal breakfast of dirty mush, our dear enemy returned! Kay and Margo were already on my bed, when Catesy and